Show ContentsNight History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Night family

The surname Night was first found in Kirkcudbright, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Night family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Night research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1890 is included under the topic Early Night History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Night Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacKnight, MacKnyght, MacNaught, MacNaight, MacKnaught, MacKnaight, MacNight and many more.

Early Notables of the Night family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • MacKnight of Barskeaugh

Ireland Migration of the Night family to Ireland

Some of the Night family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Night migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Night Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Robert Night, who landed in Virginia in 1648 1
Night Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Night, who arrived in Virginia in 1719 1
Night Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Night, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1854 1


The Night Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nil durum volenti
Motto Translation: Nothing is difficult for the willing.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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